Temperature regulator for refrigerators



V:hut-24. 1940. r J. H. Hom-BERGER 2,216,017

l TEHPERATURE REGULATOR FOR REFRIGERATORS Filed Aug. 13. 1932ZSheets--Sheet 2 @www Patented Sept. 24, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE TEll/[PERATURE REGULATOR FOR REFRIG- ERATORS Jacob H. Hoffberger,Baltimore, Md., assignor to Merchants Terminal Corporation, Baltimore, nMd., a corporation of Maryland Application August 13, 1932, Serial No.628,749

1c claims. (orafa- 46) y Y larly means for maintaining the temperatureof ,ice refrigerators substantially uniform as long .ias somesubstantial amount of ice is present therein.

Other objects and advantages include means enabling conveniently the useof crushed ice for such temperature regulation. n

Other and further objects and advantages Will appear from the moredetailed description set forth below, it being understood however thatthis more detailed description is given by Way of illustration andexplanation only, and not by Way of limitation, since various changesmay be made therein by those skilled in the art Without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the present invention.

- In connection with that more detailed descrip tion, there is shown inthe accompanying drawings, in

Figure 1 a fragmentary sectional View of the ice compartment of an icerefrigerator including the temperature regulator of the presentinvention; in y Figure 2 a detail sectional -vieW on lines 2-2 of Figure1, particularlyv showing'the temperature regulator; in c Figure 3 amodified form of temperaturev regulater With means for utilizing crushedice;` in

Figure 4 a transverse elevation'partly in section of a modified form oftemperature regulator;

and in Figure 5 a side elevation of the temperature regulator of Figure4.

More particularly, the present'invention is concerned With meansinstalled in the ice compartment of refrigerators utilizing ice, Whichmeans serve to maintain a substantially uniform temperature in therefrigerator as long as there is some reasonable and substantial amountof ice therein, even though said compartment may not be lled with ice.And said temperature regulation of the present invention, particularlyallows and in fact facilitatesthe free circulation of air through thesaid ice compartment containing said temperature regulator with allv ofthe desirable features, such as the Washing of the air, resulting fromsaidfree circulation of air. p-

Referring more particularly to the form of invention shown in Figures land 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the ice refrigerator Icarries the usual ice compartment 2, Within which there may be,-forexample, the usual block of 5v ice 3. In lieu of the usual icerackrfrequently consisting of a corrugated plate on Which the block ofice k3 is supported in such ice compartments of the refrigerators, thepresent invention includes a structure that enables substantial temjperature regulation and maintenance even y though 'the quantity of icemay materially vary.

For this purpose, the temperature regulator is desirably constructed asa substantially continuous hat metallic plate 4 of a size slightly lessthan 115 that of the longitudinal cross section of the ice compartment,so that the Aplate may i'lt readily Withinsaid compartment' and supportice therein.

This plate 4 carries depending ribs or fins 5, angularly disposed withrespect to the plane of the 20 plate 4, and desirably made integral Withthat portion of the plate 4 from Which said ns 5 project. As shown inFigure 1, for example, the ns 5 are desirably placedat right angles tothe plane of the plate 4. This plate 4 With the depending `25 fins 5 isdesirably supported by legs 6 upon the bottom of the ice compartment. Asshown in Figures 1 and 2, these supporting legs may consist ofsubstantially inverted U-shaped members l attached as by riveting totheplate 4, one of 30 partment 2. Thesu'pportinglegs 6 are'desirably fin height slightly greater than the height of the depending fins 5, sothat the latter ns are Well Within the space between the` plate 4 andthe bottom or floor I0 of the ice compartment and the cover memberplaced above the floor open'- ing I2. Since the dependingns 5 carried bythe plate 4 are spaced apart from eachother, and form spaces that areopen at their ends, as shown at I I, the circulating air thatV entersWithin the ice compartment passes therethrough over the' ice 3 directlyunder'and Within the spaces l formed between the depending uns 5 beforeit -5'0 enters the adjacent upper'portion ofthe food compartment. Theair, therefore, circulates Within saidl spaces andin Contact With` thedepending ns 5 after passing over and against the block of ice`3 toreceive theusual WashingV and further refrigerating action of the blockof ice 3. As shown in Figure l particularly, the plate 4 and dependingns 5 may desirably be made in sections, so that it may be increased ordecreased in width as desired. For this purpose, the plate 4 may, asshown, be divided into, for example, three sections, i4, l5 and I6,joined together by means of a tongue and groove attachment shown at I1.There may, of course, be as many desired sections of the plate 4 as arenecessary for particular width of boxes, and the width of the plate 4may, therefore, be increased or decreased by the addition of orsubtraction of sections.

Desirably also cross ribs I8 are provided running transversely of theplate 4, which serve a double function: rst for reenforcing the plate 4when the latter is made of sections as shown, and also the ribs i8 serveto prevent slippage of the block of ice within the ice compartment 2,since the ice melts down about these ribs I.8.

While as noted in connection with the description of the device as shownin the drawings, the supporting legs 6 are desirably carried on theplate 4, any other means for supporting the plate 4 within the icecompartment may be employed, as for example, projections on the walls ofthe ice compartment itself holding the plate 4 in position, but thestructure illustrated is preferred. In the modied form of device shownin Figure 3, provision is made for the use of crushed orl broken ice.Crushed or broken ice is being supplied in some communities forrefrigeration in lieu of block ice. For such purposes', the temperatureregulator of the present invention may be utilized by the inclusion of abasket B for holding the crushed or broken ice. As shown in Figure 3,the basket B is desirably a wire basket, as indicated at 26. A wirebasket is desirable because it increases the exposed surface of ice asagainst a solid basket, and enables greater washing of the air by theice to take place than would be true where a solid basket was used. Thebasket B is mounted on and carried by the plate 4 of the temperatureregulator. For this purpose the basket B may desirably be hinged asshown at 2| (Figure 3) to the front edge of the plate 4, with the basketresting directly on the upper face of the plate 4. In this case, thecross ribs i8 are Vnot necessary, but they may be utilized particularlyfor reenforcement of the plate 4 Where the latter is made in sections.Such basket and temperature regulator when utilized in the refrigeratorR, is desirably positioned within the ice compartment thereof as shownin Figure 3, adjacent the door D of the refrigerator R. When the door Dis open, the basket B may be swung about the hinge 2l so that it extendsas shown in the dotted lines of Figure 3, outside of the icecompartment.

.This enables the basket B to be readily refilled with crushed or brokenice.

For such purposes further, the front side Wall 22 of the basket B isdesirably made solid as shown in Figure 3, or sheet metal may be passedabout and attached to that wall of the basket B if a rectangular wirebasket B is utilized. Desirably also the front portions of the sidewalls of the basket B adjacent the front side wall 22 are also eithermade solid, or the wire basket portions at these `points are coveredwith sheet metal, as shown at 23 in Figure 3.V In this connection also,the eX- treme' front edge portion of the bottom of the basket may alsobe made solid, as shown at 24.

vThe purpose of the solid walls 22, 23 and solid portion of the bottom24, is to prevent dripping of water or loss'. of ice when the lbasket istipped forward into the dotted line position of Figure 3 for refilling.

While a basket container for ice, such as that illustrated in Figure 3,may be utilized itself, desirably it is employed in connection with thetemperature regulator on which it rests directly, as shown in Figure 3,so that the utility of the temperature regulator may be obtainedtogether with the basket B. The modified form of basket B shown in thedrawings may, however, be used by itself if desired as la container forcrushed or broken ice. When the basket B is utilized in connection withthe temperature regulator, that temperature regulator may besubstantially identical with that set forth and described above inconnection with Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to the modied form of temperature regulator shown in Figures 4and 5, it will be noted in general that this type of temperatureregulator differs from that of Figures l and 2 in the use of a V-shapedplate which supports the ice. In this form of the device, the V-shapedmetallic plate 44 desirably slightly less in horizontal width than thatof the longitudinal cross section of the ice compartment, is desirablyproduced from two metallic portions as shown, welded or otherwise joinedalong their meeting edges 44a. This plate 44 carries depending ribs orns 45, angularly disposed with respect to the plane of each portion ofthe plate 44, and desirably made integral with that portion of the plate44 from which said ns 45 project. As shown in Figure 4, fo-r example,the fins 45 are desirably placed at right angles to the plane of eachSection of plate 44. This plate 44 with depending fins 45 is desirablysupported by legs 46 upon the bottom of the ice compartment. As shown inFigures 4 and 5, these supporting legs may consist of a substantiallyV-shaped member 47, upon which the plate 44 rests, one of each of saidV-shaped supports being desirably placed as shown in Figure 5 at eachedge of the plate 44, and each leg 46 may be made of a metal strap of aWidth slightly less than the distance between the adjacent dependingfins 45, so that it may be held Well within this space and support theplate 44 without further attachment, although of course the legs 46 maybe attached to the V-shaped plate 44 rigidly in any desired manner.These supporting members 46 may each desirably be made as shown with adepending leg portion 48 at each end thereof, each leg portion alsohaving an outturned foot portion 49 that rests directly on the floor ofthe ice compartment. The support legs 46 should be in height slightlygreater than the height of the plate and depending ns measured in avertical direction, so that the depending ns 45 are placed well withinthe space between the plate 44 and the bottom or floor of the icecompartment. Desirably as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, thedepending i'lns 45 are not continuous around the bottom of the plate 44,but are shown with cutaway portions, as indicated at 45a, to provide afurther circulating space. Since the depending fins 45 carried by theplate 44 are spaced apart from each other, and form spaces that are openat their ends, as shown in Figure 5, the circulating air that enterswithin the usual floor opening of the ice compartment, as explainedparticularly above in connection with Figures 1 and 2, passes directlyunder and within the spaces formed between the depending fins 45 beforeit enters the upper portion of the ice compartment. f The air,therefore, circulates within and in contact with the depending ns 45 andfaisions? portions. of the bottom. of the plateV 44, and" then passesover and against the block of ice to receive the further washing andrefrigerating action of that ice in the ice compartment. A l

Again as explained in connection with the flat plate type of regulatorshown in Figures 1 and 2, the plate 44 carrying the depending-l fins 45may desirably be made in sections, as shown particularly in Figure 5, sothat the width of plate may be increased or decreased vas desired. Asshown in Figure'5, the plate 44 may be made in three sections 54, `55and 56 joined together by vmeans of a tongue yand groove attachment asshown at 51. There may, of course, be as many desired sections of theplate 44 as are necessary for a particular width of box, and the widthyof a given plate 44 may, therefore, be .increased or decreasedfbeforewelding or other .assembly by the addition of or subtraction ofsections. i f

In view of the particular form of depending fins 45 as shown in thismodified structure of Figures 4 and 5, where portions of the dependingns are cut away as indicated at 45a togive an additional circulatingspace, it may be desirable to utilize a drip arrester to collect anycondensation or water formed on the fins 45. For this purpose a V-shapedtrap or trough 50 may be utilized, passing under each corner 5|y of thefins 45. The trap or trough 50 may be mounted in any desired way on thedevice, such as by ears 52 at each end of each trough or trap 5l), eachear being. attached as bya rivet 53, or other equivalent device to theoutermost depending iin 45. The structure is fully illustrated :inFigure 5.

In utilizing the invention, the temperature regulator either with orwithout lthe basket B, is inserted into the ice compartment 2 of theusual refrigerator, and-ice is then placed within, either block ice 3 asshown in Figur-e 1, or crushed or broken ice within the basket B of thedevice as shown in Figure 3. In either case, the advantages of thepresent invention are obtained. The depending fins 5 on the plate 4increase greatly the radiating surface of the plate 4, andl at the sametime insure continued and increased contact of the circulating air withthe cold plate 4 and depending ribs 5. A fuller and more rapid coolingof the circulating air is thus obtained. This is particularly true eventhough the amount of ice within the ice compartment may be considerablyreduced by melting, because as long-as there is any substantial amountof ice within the ice compartment, the extensive radiating surfacesprovided by the plate 4 and depending iins 5, insure substantial coolingof the air. Furthermore, since provision ismade allowing the air aftercontact with the plate 4 and iins 5, to pass into contactfwith the icein the usual way in Figures 1 and 2, or with the crushed or broken icein the open basket of Figure 3, an extensive washing effect of the airis obtained. provided by the plate 4- and depending ribs 5 has beenfound to maintain a substantially uniform temperature within therefrigerator, even though the amount" of ice therein may be considerablyreduced in amount. Further the basket form of container for holdingcrushed or broken ice, enables the latter to be utilized to-f.

gether with the temperature regulator" of the presenty invention, fand.when the basket is The increased radiating surface" the plate and finsare both chilled. This holds Ythe refrigeration or cold at asubstantially uniform temperature, even though the amount of ice in thecompartment has been materially decreased below the normal supply in acompartment of the sante size. This effect of maintained cold is alsosecured even though the box is opened from time to time due to the largechilled surfaces in contact with the air in the refrigerator, so thatthere is less tendency for variation in the temperature in the box, andmaterially prevents the temperature of the refrigerator chamber fromvarying to that degree that takes place in the absence of saidtemperature regulator.

This device may also be used for similar purposes and with the sameresults and effects in display cases holding food products or othercommodities requiring refrigeration where ice is used as therefrigerant, as well as in compartments or bunkers of refrigerator carsor other vehicles utilized in the transportation of perishable products.

y Having thus set forth my invention, I claim:

1. A temperature regulator for a refrigerator of the type in which anice compartment is separated from the food compartment, said temperatureregulator comprising a continuous metallic plate, having fins projectingfrom one side of the plate and forming channels, and means forsupporting the plate between the ice and food compartments and above thebottom of the ice compartment with the ns directed toward the foodcompartment, to increase the radiating surface ofthe plate.

- 2. A temperature regulator for av refrigerator of the type in which anice compartment is separated from the food compartment, said temperafture regulator comprising a continuous metallic plate, legs carried bythe plate for supporting said plate above the bottom -of said ice`compartment lso-provide a space between said plate and the bottom ofsaid ice compartment, fins carried by saidplate and angularly disposedwith respect thereto and extending into the space between the plate andthe bottom of said ice compartment to increase the radiating surface ofthe plate, and ribs carried on the face of said plate opposite to thatcarrying the fins to prevent slippage of a block of ice resting on saidplate.

3. A temperature regulator for refrigerators having the usual iceand'food compartment, said temperature regulator comprising a metallicplate, metal fins carried by said plate and angularly disposed withrespect thereto the metal iins being spaced from one another to providespaces between said ns, ,so that when the plate is placed in position ina refrigerator between theice and food compartments, the spaces betweenthe fins open toward the food compartment of the refrigerator, the nsincreasing the radiating surface of the plate, and an ice basket carriedin heat transfer'relation toand bysaidplate for holding crushed ice.

4. A temperature regulator for a, refrigerator of the type in which anice compartment is separated from a food compartment by a partition,said temperature regulator comprising a metallic plate, having a seriesof spaced fins projecting from one side of the plate and formingchannels, and means secured to the plate for engaging .the partition tohold the plate spaced from the partition with the `fins directed towardthe food compartment, and an ice basket carried in heat transferrelation to and by said platefor holding crushed ice.

l5. An ice container comprising a supporting plate, a basket defined bya solid side wall, a bottom wall, and other walls made of wire mesh, thebasket being hinged along an edge of said solid wall to the supportingplate.

6. `In combination, anice refrigerator having the usual ice compartment,a temperature regulator supported within said ice compartment, saidregulator comprising a continuous. metallic plate for supporting icewithin said ice compartment, means for spacing said plate from the floorof said ice compartment, and fins carried by the plate and angularlydisposed with respect thereto and extending into the spacebetween saidplate and the bottom of the ice compartment to increase the radiatingsurface of the plate.

'7. In combination, an ice refrigerator having the usual icecompartment, a temperature regulator supported within said icecompartment, said regulator comprising a metallic plate for supportingan ice basket Within said ice compartment,

means for spacing said plate from the floor of said ice compartment,fins carried by the plate angularly displaced with respect thereto andextending into the space between said plate and thev bottom of the icecontainer to increase the radiating surface of the plate, and an icebasket carried in heat transfer relation to and by said plate forholding crushed ice.

8. In combination, an ice refrigerator having the usual ice compartment,a temperature regulator supported within said ice compartment, saidregulator comprising a metallic plate for supporting ice Within said icecompartment, means for spacing said plate from the floor of said icecompartment, fins carried by the plate angularly disposed with respectthereto and extending into the space between said plate and the'bottomof the ice container to increase the radiating surface of the plate, anice basket carried by said plate for holding crushed ice, said basketbeing hinged- 1y mounted on said plate for swinging movement thereon,whereby the basket may be moved out of the ice compartment to facilitatefilling of the basket with crushed ice.

9. In combination, an ice refrigerator having the usual ice compartmentand a container for crushed ice placed within said ice compartment, saidcontainer including a base plate and an ice basket mounted in heattransfer relation with and on said plate for swinging movement Wherebythe basket may be moved out of the ice compartment to facilitate fillingoi' the basket with crushed ice.

10. In combination, an ice refrigerator having the usual icecompartment, a temperature regulator supported within said icecompartment, said regulator comprising a metallic plate for supportingan ice basket within said ice compartment,

Ameans for spacing said plate from the floor of said ice compartment, nscarried by the plate vangularly disposed with respect thereto and eX-,alongthat side Wall toward which the basket swings when moved on saidhinge, whereby the basket may be movedout of the ice compartmentVtofacilitatefilling of the basket with crushed ice while avoidingdrippings from any ice within the basket.

1,1. A temperature regulator for a. refrigerator having the usual iceand food compartment, said temperature regulator comprising a V-shapedmetallic plate and metal iins carried by the plate angularly disposedwith respect thereto and open toward the food 'compartment to increasethe radiating surface of the plate.

;12. A temperature'regulator for refrigerators having the usual icecompartment, said temperatureregulator comprising a V-shaped metallicplate, having ar series of spaced fins projecting ,from one side of theplate and forming channels, and meanssecured to the plate for engagingthe partition to hold the plate spaced from the partition with the finsdirected toward the food compartment.

13. In combination, an ice refrigerator having the usual icecompartment, a temperature regulatorI supported Within said icecompartment, said regulator comprising a V-shaped metallic plate forsupporting ice within said ice compartment, means for spacing said platefrom the oor of said ice compartment, and fins carried by the plate andangularly disposed with respect thereto and extending into the spacebetween said plate and the bottom of the ice container to increase theradiating surface of the plate.

14. vIn combination, an ice refrigerator having the usualice compartmentand a container for crushed ice placed Within said ice compartment, saidcontainer including a solid metallic finned base plate and an ice basketmounted on said plate for swinging movement, whereby the basket may bemoved out of the ice compartment tov facilitate filling of the basketwith crushed ice.

15. A temperature regulator for a refrigerator of the type in which anice compartment is separated from a food compartment by a partition,said temperature regulator comprising a continuous metallic plate havinga series of spaced fins projecting from one side of the plate andforming channels, and legs carried by the plate for engaging thepartition to hold the plate spaced from the partition with the finsdirected toward the food compartment.

16. In combination, a refrigerator casing, a drip pan secured thereinand dividing the refrigerator space into a food compartment and anicecompartment, a temperature regulator within said ice compartment, thetemperature regulator comprising a V-shaped metallic plate, and meansengaging the drip pan and supporting the V-shaped member above said drippan, fins carried by said metallic plate and angularly disposed withrespect thereto, said ns extending into the space between the plate andthe drip pan to increase the radiating surface of the plate.

. JACOB I-I. HOFFBERGER.

